Press Release for Monday, March 17, 2014

UNF Poll Reveals Crist has Slight Lead in Governor’s Race

A new University of North Florida poll reveals Charlie Crist has a single percentage point lead over Gov. Rick Scott — 34-to-33 percent among registered voters — in the gubernatorial race. Respondents were given the additional choice of “somebody else” in the answer options, and “somebody else,” combined with the “don’t know” and “no answer” responses, accounted for 34 percent of responses. In addition, 45 percent of registered voters polled approve of how Scott is handling his job as Florida’s governor, down from the 49-percent approval rating in October 2013.

Seventy-four percent of registered voters polled responded that they would vote “yes” for Proposition 2, allowing the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. This is in stark contrast to the percentage of registered voters polled who support allowing adults in Florida to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for recreational use, which is 41 percent.

When asked about the “Stand Your Ground” law, 62 percent of registered voters polled supported requiring people to take reasonable steps to retreat before using force to defend themselves. In regard to vehicle registration fees, 55 percent of respondents supported the statewide reduction of vehicle registration fees by approximately $12 from the current rate of $84, even if state revenues decrease by about $250 million per year.

The survey was conducted through the use of a 27-station telephone-polling laboratory at UNF. A polling sample was selected through the use of random-digit-dialing methodology. A cell phone sample was used to increase representation. Age, gender, race education and party registration were weighted to the most recent U.S. Census data, as well as to statistics from the Duval County Supervisor of Elections.

The survey was conducted between Thursday, March 6, and Sunday, March 16, and includes 507 registered voters (+/- 4.35 percent). Approximately 50 trained interviewers participated in the data collection.

Below are the full results. For further information or questions about methodology, contact Dr. Michael Binder, UNF assistant professor of political science, at (904) 620-1205 or m.binder@unf.edu.

UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.

*Data is weighted by age, gender, race, education and party registration.

Toplines

If the election for Governor was being held today, whom would you vote for between Rick Scott the Republican, Charlie Crist the Democrat or somebody else?

March 2014 (N=507)

Rick Scott

33%

Charlie Crist

34%

Someone Else

17%

Don’t Know/No Answer

17%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Rick Scott is handling his job as Governor of Florida?

March 2014 (N=507)

October 2013 (N=526)

Approve (Strongly and Somewhat)

45%

49%

Disapprove (Strongly and Somewhat)

39%

42%

Don’t Know/No Answer

16%

9%

Proposition 2 on the statewide ballot in the fall of 2014 is called “Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions.” This amendment allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. If the election were held today, would you vote Yes or No for this proposition?

March 2014 (N=485)

Yes

74%

No

22%

Don’t Know/No Answer

4%

Do you support or oppose allowing adults in Florida to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for recreational use?

March 2014 (N=447)

Strongly Support

25%

Somewhat Support

16%

Somewhat Oppose

11%

Strongly Oppose

46%

Don’t Know/No Answer

2%

Current Florida law states that a person “has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or someone else.” Do you support or oppose requiring people to take reasonable steps to retreat before using force to defend themselves?

March 2014 (N=476)

Strongly Support

41%

Somewhat Support

21%

Somewhat Oppose

7%

Strongly Oppose

22%

Don’t Know/No Answer

8%

Do you support or oppose the state reducing vehicle registration fees by about 12 dollars from the current rate of 84 dollars if it decreases state revenues by about 250 million dollars per year?

March 2014 (N=472)

Strongly Support

38%

Somewhat Support

17%

Somewhat Oppose

16%

Strongly Oppose

19%

Don’t Know/No Answer

10%

Demographic Toplines

Are you a registered Democrat, Republican, No Party Affiliation or are you not registered to vote?

March 2014 (N=488)

Democrat

39%

Republican

35%

No Party Affiliation and Others

25%

What is your age?

March 2014 (N=445)

18-24

8%

25-44

28%

45-64

36%

65-80

22%

Above 80

5%

Don’t Know/No Answer

1%

What best describes your racial or ethnic background?

March 2014 (N=445)

White or Caucasian

67%

Black or African American

12%

Hispanic or Latino

14%

Asian

1%

Multi-Racial/Something Else

4%

Don’t Know/No Answer

3%

What is the highest grade in school or year of college you have completed?